Modular riser base

ABSTRACT

A modular riser base suitable for use in a lift pump station, a sump pump station, a drainage holding unit and the like. The riser base can include a top side with a substantially flat surface for supporting a pump. The modular riser base includes a bottom side having reinforcing support structure for strengthening the riser base. The modular riser base further includes a raised perimeter edge extending from a top surface of the top side. The edge forms a connecting member for interconnecting with a mating edge of an associated riser component. The height of the riser base is preferably less than the diameter of an inlet pipe delivering effluent to the station.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

A modular base appropriate for use with a riser in an on-site wastesystem, such as for use as a sewage or effluent pump station.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

On-site waste systems can include septic tanks that drain or leachsewage effluent into leach fields. Sometimes leach fields are positionedat a higher location than the septic tank and, therefore, the septiceffluent needs to be pumped to the higher elevation. The septic effluentcan be pumped to a distribution box then discharged by gravity feed to aleach field or the like.

Stackable risers for on-site waste and drainage systems are known. Forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,617,679 and 5,852,901 issued to Meyers, andassigned to the assignee of the present disclosure, disclose plasticstackable risers for providing a grade level access for undergroundcomponents such as septic tanks, distribution boxes, and drop boxes. The'901 patent discloses a riser with a cylindrical side wall having a topfree edge and a bottom edge. The top free edge defines a first endopening and the bottom edge is connected to a generally invertedU-shaped connecting member which defines a channel to receive the freeedge portion of an adjacent stackable riser. Other known risers havedifferent connecting edge construction designs. In use, a plurality ofstackable risers, in the designs taught by the '901 patent, areinterlocked together so that the side walls extend along a commonvertical axis to the underground component and provide a generally gastight column above the underground component.

An improvement to a lift pump station, in the form of converting astackable riser structure into a lift pump station, is contemplated bythe disclosure described in detail below.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides for a modular liquid pump station riserbase, or a base for liquid storage structures such as sewage or effluentand the like. The riser base includes a top side having a substantiallyflat surface for supporting a pump. The modular riser base includes abottom side having reinforcing support structure for strengthening theriser base. The modular riser base further includes a raised perimeteredge extending from the surface of the top side. The raised perimeteredge forms an edge for being received in a connecting edge member of ariser component, such as in a U-shaped edge or a tongue for a tongue andgroove joint.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a modular liquid lift pump stationis provided. The pump station includes a riser base having a top side, abottom side, and a height defined by a distance between the top side andthe bottom side that is less than the diameter of a pipe deliveringeffluent to the lift pump station. The modular lift pump stationincludes a pump positioned on the riser base for pumping effluent fromthe riser base to a predetermined height. At least one riser can bestacked on the riser base. The riser permits the effluent to dischargeat the predetermined height through an outlet pipe extending through aside wall of the riser.

A method for pumping sewage or effluent with a lift pump station is alsoprovided by the present disclosure. A riser base is provided thatincludes a height that is less than a diameter of an effluent inletpipe. A pump is positioned on the riser base. At least one riser isstacked on the riser base to a predetermined height required to pump thesewage. At least one outlet pipe is positioned through a side wall of ariser corresponding to the predetermined height required to pump thesewage. The lift pump pumps the effluent from the lift pump stationthrough at least one outlet pipe.

Other applications of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art when the following description of the best modecontemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a riser base with a riser stackedthereon;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view, partially cut away, of the riser base shown inFIG. 1, with a partial horizontal cross-section taken along lines 3-3 inFIG. 1 of the stackable riser stacked on the riser base;

FIG. 4 is a partial top view of the riser base shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the riser base;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the riser base;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the riser base; and

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of the riser including a base,a plurality of risers, and a pump positioned on the riser base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, a modular lift pump station 10 is showntherein. The lift pump station 10 includes a riser base 12. The riserbase 12 is normally positioned below ground level, but is supported bythe floor of an excavated hole 14 formed in the ground. A riser 16 canbe positioned on top of the riser base 12. The riser 16 can be formed asa unitary piece of a predetermined height to extend to the groundsurface or preferably, a plurality of risers 12 can be stacked to aground surface level. A riser cover (not shown) can be removablyattached to the top of the riser stack and seal the lift pump station10.

Each riser 16 preferably includes one or more cutouts or knockouts 18operable for forming an aperture to permit an inlet pipe 70 or outletpipe 74 to extend therethrough (see FIG. 8). The outlet pipe 74 connectsto a pump 72 having an electrical power line 73. The lift pump station10 can be substantially round in cross-section, but can include othergeometric shapes such as square or rectangular if desired, which isprimarily determined by the design of the riser 16 being used. Eachriser 16 can include a plurality of vertically-oriented stiffening ribmembers 20 formed on the outer circumference thereof, to providestructural support to the riser 16. Horizontally oriented stiffening ribmembers 21 may also be provided on the outer circumference of each riser16. Vertically-oriented rib members 23 may also be formed on an innersurface 22 of each riser 16.

Each riser 16 includes an outer perimeter edge 24 for engaging a groove26 (best seen in FIG. 2) formed in the bottom side of each riser 16. Theperimeter edge 24 and the groove 26 provide a generally tongue andgroove joint between adjacent risers 16 and/or between a riser base 12and an adjacent riser 16 when they are stackingly engaged with oneanother. However, risers with yet other edge connection means forinterconnecting one riser to another can be used with the riser base ofthe present invention. Each riser 16 includes a plurality of throughapertures 28 for permitting securement members, such as threadedfasteners 30, to extend therethrough and threadingly engage a receivingmember 32 that is located on the top portion of each riser 16 and eachriser base 12. Each receiving member 32 can be formed to receive aself-tapping threaded fastener such that when a threaded fastener 30 isthreadingly engaged with the receiving member 32, the threaded fastener30 will tap and thread into the receiving member 32.

FIG. 3 shows a partial cut-away of the riser 16 and the riser base 12wherein a through aperture 28 of the riser 16 is positioned adjacent thereceiving member 32 of the riser base 12, such that the riser 16 and thebase 12 can be mechanically secured to one another.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross-section of a riser 16 positioned on ariser base 12 is illustrated. The riser 16 includes a groove 26 formedin a side wall 40. A raised edge or tongue 42 is formed on the riserbase 12. The raised edge 42 is constructed and arranged to slidinglyengage with the groove 26 of the riser 16. A sealant compound, such asbutyl mastic, can be used as desired in conjunction with the tongue andgroove seal 44 to ensure a fluid tight fit between the riser base 12 andthe riser 16.

The riser base 12 has a small height dimension h so that an excavationhole of essentially any height in the ground can be fitted with themodular lift pump station 10. For example, in accordance with one aspectof the present disclosure, consisting of a riser base 12, only one riser16, and an associated riser cover (not shown), the overall height forsuch a “one riser” lift station can be less than 12 inches. On the otherhand, a plurality of risers 16 can be stacked as high as necessary tomatch the height requirements of the hole in the ground. Further,variably sized risers 16 can be utilized to ensure fit to a desiredheight of the lift pump station 10. Regardless of whether a single riser16 or a plurality of risers 16 are used, a riser cover 49 (see FIG. 8)may advantageously be secured to an uppermost riser 16 to close off thelift pump station 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, the riser base 12 is shown from variousperspectives. FIG. 4 shows a partial section of the riser base 12. Theriser base 12 includes an outer band 50 that encompasses the raisedperimeter edge 42. The outer band 50 is held in fixed relationship withrespect to the raised perimeter edge 42 with a plurality of spokes 52and threaded fastener receiving members 32 that extend between the outerband 50 and the raised perimeter edge 42. The fastener receiving members32 can be formed with two closely spaced radially-extending spokes 52.

The riser base 12 includes a top side 60 with at least a portion havinga substantially flat surface for supporting a pump 72 (see FIG. 8). Asshown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the riser base 12 includes a bottom side 62having reinforced support structure 64 for strengthening the riser base12. The support structure 64 includes a plurality of ribs 66 that extendradially from the center of the base 12 to the outer band 50. Thesupport structure 64 can include at least one intermediate band 68, suchas in the form of an annular ring, positioned radially inward relativeto the outer band 50. The intermediate band 68 can be constructed andarranged to connect with the radial stiffening ribs 66.

The height h of the base 12, shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, is defined by thedistance between the top of the raised edge 42 and the bottom side ofthe riser base 62. The height h is preferably less than a diameter of aninlet pipe 70 (shown in FIG. 8) that delivers effluent to the lift pumpstation 10. Inlet pipes 70 are typically standard 4 inch diameter PVCpipe, but may be of smaller diameter, e.g. 3 inches or larger diameter,e.g. 6 inches. The height h is preferably maintained small so thatincreased versatility of the modular lift pump station 10 can beachieved. That is, the small height h takes up limited space and a riser16 or plurality of risers 16 can be stacked on the riser base 12 toraise the top of the lift pump station 10 to a desired elevation, suchas approximately to grade level. The height h of the riser base 12 isthus typically less than three inches, but can vary in size, larger orsmaller, depending on design requirements of a specific application.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the modular lift pump station 10 is showntherein. The lift pump station components, including the riser base 12and the risers 16, are preferably formed of a plastic material, such aspolyethylene or polypropolene, to prevent oxidation and corrosion. Theriser base 12 and risers 16 can be formed using conventional techniquessuch as injection molding and gas assist molding. The lift pump station10 includes a riser base 12 and can include a plurality of risers 16stacked on top of one another to a desired height, whereby a riser isthus converted into a lift station through use of a riser base andassociated pump and drain pipes. Sewage or effluent is delivered to thelift pump station 10 via an inlet pipe 70. The inlet pipe 70 deliversfluid to the lift pump station 10. An electric pump 72 having a powerline 73 for supplying electrical power pumps the effluent from the liftpump station 10. An outlet pipe 74 is attached to the pump 72 fordelivering, for example, the effluent to a desired predetermined height(see the lift height as generally denoted by reference letters LH inFIG. 8) and location. The outlet pipe 74 can include a generallyvertical extension 76 and a secondary pipe extension 78 that ishorizontally aligned or angled away from the lift pump station 10. Thesecondary pipe extension 78 delivers the effluent to a desired locationat a raised height relative to the source (not shown) that was deliveredfrom the inlet pipe 70.

In operation, the modular lift pump station 10 includes the lift pumpstation base 12 positioned in a desired location below ground surfacelevel. A pump 12 is positioned on the top surface 60 of the lift stationbase 12. At least one riser 16 is positioned on the riser base 12 suchthat the tongue and groove engagement 44 (or other interconnection) incombination with a suitable sealant, such as butyl mastic, (not shown)forms a generally fluid tight seal between the lift pump station base 12and the riser 16. A cutout or knockout 18 is removed from the riser 16so that the inlet pipe 70 can extend through the opening createdthereby. The inlet pipe 70 permits fluid to enter the lift pump station10. The secondary pipe extension 78 of the outlet pipe 74 extends to adesired height and out through another cutout or knockout 18 (either inthe same riser or different, e.g. higher, riser 16). Effluent is thenpumped from the pump station 10 through the outlet pipe 74 and to asecondary location and height, such as an associated elevated leachfield.

Use of the riser base 12 is not limited to the application of a liftpump station. For instance, in a drainage system or irrigation systemspanning two (or more) grade levels, such as on a hill, it is oftendesirable to store drainage or other liquids, at least on a temporarybasis, at an intermediate elevation. The riser base 12 mayadvantageously be employed in combination with risers 16 in suchcircumstances as a temporary fluid collection chamber or to facilitateredirection of fluid. Fluid may flow into the chamber through an inletpipe passing through a cutout or knockout 18 formed in a riser 16 at afirst height, and may exit the chamber through an outlet pipe at asecond, e.g. lower height, without the need for a mechanical pump.

In yet another embodiment, the riser base 12 can be used for a sump pumpstation. Sump pump stations are typically utilized in buildings thathave a crawl space or a basement. If the ground water level becomes toohigh or the basement has water leaking in from the outside, a sump pumpcan be used to remove the water. A riser base 12 can be assembled withat least one riser to form a sump pump station. The sump pump stationcan hold drainage water until the water rises to a predetermined level.A float switch or the like can activate the pump housed within the sumppump station which causes the water to be mechanically pumped out of thesump pump station.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructures as is permitted under law.

1. A modular riser base comprising: a top side having an area with asubstantially flat surface; a bottom side having reinforcing supportstructure for strengthening the top side of the riser base; and a raisedperimeter edge extending from the surface of the top side, the raisedperimeter edge forming a connection edge for interconnecting a risercomponent to the riser base.
 2. The riser base of claim 1, wherein theedge is a tongue for a tongue and groove connection joint.
 3. The riserbase of claim 1, further comprising: an outer band encompassing theperimeter edge, the outer band held in fixed relationship to the edgewith a plurality of spokes extending between the perimeter edge and theouter band.
 4. The riser base of claim 1, wherein the support structureincludes a plurality of ribs extending radially from the center of theriser base to the outer band.
 5. The riser base of claim 4, wherein thesupport structure further includes at least one intermediate bandpositioned radially inward relative to the outer band, the at least oneintermediate band constructed and arranged to connect the radialstiffening ribs together at an intermediate radial location.
 6. Theriser base of claim 1, wherein a height defined by the distance betweenthe top of the raised edge and the bottom side of the riser base is lessthan a diameter of an inlet pipe delivering liquid to a pump stationformed on the riser base.
 7. The riser base of claim 1, wherein a heightdefined by the distance between the raised edge and the bottom side isless than approximately three inches.
 8. The riser base of claim 1,wherein the riser base includes a member for permitting a threadedfastener to threadingly engage therewith.
 9. The riser base of claim 8,wherein the member receives a self-tapping threaded fastener.
 10. Theriser base of claim 8, wherein the member includes at least two closelyspaced spokes.
 11. The riser base of claim 1, wherein the riser base isformed in a substantially circular shape.
 12. The riser base of claim 1,wherein the riser base is formed from plastic material.
 13. The riserbase of claim 1, wherein the plastic material is injection molded.
 14. Amodular lift pump station comprising: a riser base having a top side, abottom side, and a height defined by a distance between the top side andthe bottom side, the height being less than a diameter of a pipedelivering liquid to the lift pump station; a pump positioned on theriser base for pumping liquid from the riser base to a lift height; andat least one riser stacked on the riser base, the riser permitting theliquid to discharge at the lift height through an outlet pipe extendingthrough a sidewall of the riser.
 15. The modular lift pump station ofclaim 14 wherein the riser base further comprises: a top side having asurface for supporting the pump, a bottom side having reinforcingsupport structure for strengthening the riser base; and a raisedperimeter edge extending from the surface of the top side forming aconnecting edge member for connecting to a riser.
 16. The modular liftpump station of claim 15, wherein the connecting edge member is one of atongue and a substantially U-shaped cross-section groove for a tongueand groove connection joint.
 17. The modular station of claim 15,wherein the top side includes a substantially flat surface.
 18. Themodular station of claim 14, further comprising: a cover to close offthe modular lift pump station.
 19. The modular station of claim 15,wherein the riser base includes: an outer band encompassing theperimeter edge and a plurality of spokes extending between the perimeteredge and the outer band.
 20. The modular station of claim 19, whereinthe support structure includes a plurality of ribs extending radiallyfrom the center of the riser base to the outer band.
 21. The modularstation of claim 19, wherein the support structure further includes atleast one intermediate band positioned radially inward relative to theouter band, the at least one intermediate band adapted to connect theradial stiffening ribs together at an intermediate radial location. 22.The modular station of claim 14, wherein the height of the riser base isless than approximately three inches.
 23. The modular station of claim14, wherein the riser base includes a member for permitting a threadedfastener to threadingly engage therewith.
 24. The modular station ofclaim 23, wherein the member is engageable with a self-tapping threadedfastener.
 25. The modular station of claim 14, wherein the riser base isformed in a substantially circular shape.
 26. The modular station ofclaim 14, wherein the riser base includes a connecting edge forconnecting with an adjacent riser.
 27. The modular station of claim 14,wherein a first riser is configured to stack on top of the riser base,the riser having a groove formed in the bottom side thereof forreceiving the raised perimeter edge of the riser base therein, whereinthe edge and groove form a locking tongue and groove engagement betweenthe riser base and the riser.
 28. The modular station of claim 14,wherein each riser includes a raised perimeter edge formed on a top sideand a mating groove formed in a bottom side for permitting a pluralityof risers to stackingly engage one another with a tongue and groovearrangement.
 29. The modular station of claim 14, wherein each riserfurther includes at least one cut-out section forming a through aperturefor permitting an inlet or outlet pipe to extend therethrough.
 30. Themodular station of claim 14, wherein the riser base is formed in asubstantially circular shape.
 31. The modular station of claim 14,wherein each riser includes a plurality of stiffening ribs on at leastone of an inner surface and an outer surface.
 32. The modular station ofclaim 14, wherein the riser base forms a base for a sump pump station.33. The modular station of claim 14, including a cover sealingly engagedwith a riser.
 34. A method for pumping effluent with a lift pump stationcomprising: providing a riser base having a height less than a diameterof an inlet pipe; positioning a pump on the riser base; stacking atleast one riser on the riser base to a lift height required to pumpeffluent to a desired elevated location; positioning at least one outletpipe through a side wall of a riser corresponding to the lift heightrequired to pump effluent; and pumping effluent from the lift pumpstation through the at least one outlet pipe;
 35. The method of claim34, further comprising: sealing a connection between the riser base andthe riser.
 36. The method of claim 34, further comprising: fitting acover over an uppermost riser to close off the lift station.
 37. Amethod for converting a riser to a lift station, comprising: providing ariser base having a height less than a diameter of an inlet pipe;positioning a pump on the riser base; stacking at least one riser on theriser base to a lift height required to pump effluent to a requiredelevated location; sealing a connection between the riser and the riserbase; and positioning at least one outlet pipe through a side wall of ariser corresponding to the predetermined lift height required to pumpeffluent.
 38. The method of claim 37, further comprising: sealing aconnection between the riser base, the first riser, and each subsequentriser with a sealing member.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein thesealing member is a mastic sealant or a preformed gasket.
 40. The methodof claim 37, further comprising: fitting a cover over an uppermost riserto close off the lift station.
 41. A drainage holding unit, comprising:a riser base having a top side, a bottom side, and a height defined by adistance between the top side and the bottom side, the height being lessthan a diameter of a pipe delivering fluid to the holding unit; at leastone riser stacked on the riser base to hold the fluid; an inlet pipeconnected to the riser for delivering fluid from a relatively higherlocation; and an outlet pipe connected to the riser for discharging thefluid to a relatively lower location.
 42. The holding unit of claim 37,wherein the outlet pipe is located below the inlet pipe and fluid isdischarged from the holding unit without using a pump.
 43. A drainageholding unit, comprising: a riser base having a top side, a bottom side,and a height defined by a distance between the top side and the bottomside, the height being less than a diameter of a pipe delivering fluidto the holding unit; at least one riser stacked on the riser base tohold the fluid; an inlet pipe connected to the riser for deliveringfluid from a relatively lower location; and an outlet pipe connected toa pump for discharging the fluid to a relatively higher location.
 44. Amodular lift pump station comprising: a riser base having a top surface,a pump positioned on the top surface for pumping liquid from the riserbase to a lift height; and at least one riser stacked on the riser base,the riser permitting the liquid to discharge at the lift height throughan outlet pipe extending through a sidewall of the riser, and thedistance between a bottom edge of the riser and the top surface of theriser base ranges between substantially flush to approximately adiameter of an inlet pipe delivering liquid to the lift pump station.45. The modular lift pump station of claim 44, wherein the riser basefurther comprises: a top side having a substantially flat surface alongat least a portion thereof for supporting the pump, a bottom side havingreinforcing support structure for strengthening the riser base; and araised perimeter edge extending from the surface of the top side forminga connecting edge member for connecting to a riser.
 46. The modular liftpump station of claim 44, wherein the connecting edge member is one of atongue and a substantially U-shaped cross-section groove for a tongueand groove connection joint.
 47. The modular station of claim 44,further comprising: a cover to close off the modular lift pump station.